Alumni Spotlights

Allison Staley '12 & '17

Allison Staley '12 & '17

Employer
1st Grade Teacher

1. Tell us about your journey since graduation.
After graduation, I began substitute teaching until I landed my first job. I taught intervention my first year, followed by teaching multiple grades over the next few years - 6th grade, 3rd grade, and 2nd grade. While at my first school, I went back to Grand Valley and received my Masters degree. I left my first school after teaching there for 6 years and moved closer to home teaching 1st grade - a grade I never thought I would ever teach and I have fallen in love with this grade! This is my third year teaching first grade. I’m also using my admin degree a bit more as I am a team lead for the K-3 teachers. In 2015, I also became a Scentsy Consultant to help supplement my teaching income and I have worked hard and helped over 140 people start their own business and have promoted to the 2nd highest title with Scentsy!

2. Share a favorite Grand Valley memory.
I have so many memories! One of the top ones would be watching our football team win the game that sent them to nationals! The goal post got taken down by the fans rushing the field and we got to take a picture with it. (We did not take it down, we just watched!) It snowed the entire game, we were frozen, but it was one of the best games I had been to while there!

3. What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?
Teaching will be hard. Find those people who will love you and support you no matter what. Those are the people who are going to help you thrive!

4. List three words you would use to describe your Grand Valley experience.
Life-changing, crazy, and enlightening!

5. What difference would you like to make in the world?
With the current climate of our world, I want my students to know they are loved, they are accepted, and to know that I would do anything to protect them and keep them safe. They don’t just leave my room as my former student, they leave my room as one of my kids!

March 2021

Interest Area(s)
Education-Elem Middle Teaching, Ed Specialist in Leadership (MA required)

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Page last modified March 30, 2021